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Tuesday, 18 April 2017

Polling day school closures is a HUGE bugbear of mine.My children's school closes for polling days which I think makes a mockery of the huge debate over parents removing children for term time holidays.It appears when it is convenient for the school/council etc then your child's education is not important but if you deem it necessary to remove your child then you face the wrath of fines. How about if I fined them? My children's school was closed for 3 separate days last year. 5th May for police commissioners election, 23rd June for Brexit and 5th July for teachers union strike.I had to use 3 days annual leave to cover these closures. I know other parents had to pay for childcare. I know work in a school and still cannot understand the decision and it is now more difficult for me childcare wise.On the 4th May my school is closed AGAIN!!! This time for local elections. I cannot have the day off as the school I work in is open. Luckily my OH can have the day off although its not very convenient.That will be 4 lost days in 12 months! How is that allowable?I understand that voting needs to be made accessible to communities but why does my school have to be shut ALL the time. We have a large church up the road with a community room. Everyone knows where it is and it even has a car park. Why isn't that used?I feel so annoyed by the situation now that I am going to write to my local council. The school say it is not in their control.Does this effect you? What are your thoughts?Emma xxx

Sunday, 9 April 2017

Oh My Blog is a monthly interview series, where fellow bloggers come together to answer a series of questions on a specific theme. This is a chance to get acquainted with a whole range of bloggers, some of whom you may not have heard of before, and learn a little more about them!

This month, the theme is Mums (because it’s Mother’s Day soon!) and we’re hosting Debbie from My Chaotically Eclectic Life.

1. Introduce us to your mum. What’s her name? What does she do? Reveal her age if you dare! My mum’s name is Pat, she’s just turned 70 and she’s retired.

2. What’s the one thing your mum always used to say to you? When I was younger she had loads of things she used to say but the one that sticks in my mind was ‘You can’t kid them that have kidded thousands” Her favourite now with my kids is something along the lines of ‘your mum never got away with it, so don’t think that you will!’

3. Someone’s playing your mum in a film. Who is it and why? This is really difficult. I suppose I would probably have to say Judi Dench for no reason other than that they are similar in age.

4. She’s won the lottery. What’s the first thing your mum buys for herself? Depends how much she won because after spending on her grandkids, and possibly me, she might not have that much left. She doesn’t really go anywhere as my dad is pretty much housebound. If I had to say it would probably be a book, or maybe a new laptop as her’s has been playing up a bit recently.

5. What embarrassing story about you does she always tell when you meet new people? She doesn’t. It’s not from a lack of embarrassing stories though, maybe she just can’t decide. However she does seem to remember stories differently to me and to be honest I’m no longer sure who’s version is correct any more.

6. What are your plans for Mother’s Day this year? Not sure yet as we have to juggle seeing both my mum and my MIL as well as spending time with my own kids. I will probably take my mum and MIL somewhere for afternoon tea on the Saturday and then go out for the day on Mother’s Day with a meal included because I don’t intend to cook.

7. What’s her favourite TV show at the moment? Criminal Minds, Rizzoli & Isles, Hawaii 5-0, NCIS:LA – generally most American crime dramas. To be honest as long as it’s not a repeat I think she’s happy.

8. What’s the biggest or most important thing that your mum inspired you to do? I’m not sure my mum has really inspired me to anything, at least not that I’m aware of. She’s never been one to push me to do anything, but whatever I’ve decided she’s supported me unconditionally. She’s been there for advice and support at every stage.

I suppose, based on the above, she has inspired me to be a good parent and support my children with whatever they decide to do in life.

9. Your round at the bar! What’s your mum drinking? Depends which bar. If we’re at the local pub it will probably be half a lager. If we’re out for a special occasion (which usually finds us at TGI Friday’s) it will be a cocktail. Her favourite is the frozen black Irish (FBI)

10. What’s the biggest difference between you and your mum? We’re not all that different to be honest. That said she smokes and drinks coffee and I don’t do either.

11. Most important question of the lot. What is your mum’s stance on 50 Shades of Grey? Does she love it? Hate it? Not even know what it is? I’m not sure she even knows what it is. I’m pretty sure she’s never read it and definitely hasn’t seen the film.

12. What’s your favourite memory of your mum? It’s not really a favourite but it’s one that sticks in my mind as it made me seem like the sensible one, despite an evening of drinking. When my eldest was a baby, my mum had her overnight while I had a night out with my OH. We arrived home to find the house broken into. Cue lots of hysterics from me for a couple of minutes before I calmed down and phoned the police. The next call was to my mum who was ready to start putting her coat and shoes on ready to come down until I reminded her that she was looking after my daughter 😊

13. What do you think your mum was like as a kid? Very much like me if what she says is anything to go by. Although she’ didn’t have children until 10 years after I did so probably spent a lot more time partying.

14. Cast your mind back a bit; what was the thing you did as a child or teenager that made your mum the angriest she has ever been with you? I may have selected memory on this but I can’t remember my mum ever been really angry. Don’t get me wrong we had our fair share of arguments but all in all she was pretty reasonable. My dad on the other hand, well that’s an entirely different story.

15. Finally, what’s the BEST piece of advice your mum ever gave to you? You can make your own decisions, but you have to deal with the consequences. That’s not to say she wasn’t there for advice if it was needed but I had to go to her